BRAC James P Grant School of Public
Health (JPGSPH), BRAC University and Bangladesh Health Watch (BHW) unveiled the
research findings of six different studies that looked at the impact of the
coronavirus outbreak on the general and mental health of the population at
large, RMG workers, front line health workers, and marginalized groups –
including the transgender community – in Bangladesh.
BRAC JPGHPH was established in 2004 as
an international educational and research institution focusing on integral areas
of teaching, research and services. BHW was established in 2006 as a multi
stakeholders civil society body dedicated to improve the health system in
Bangladesh through evidence based critical review of policies and programs, and
recommend appropriate actions for change.
The findings of the studies were shared
with journalists during an online press launch on April 18, 2020. The findings paint
an alarming picture: frontline health workers such as doctors and nurses,
garment workers, and the urban poor living in informal settlements are
struggling to cope with the sudden effects that the coronavirus outbreak has
had on their lives.
Rapid case studies of the urban poor in
Dhaka city and transgender community found high levels of fear and panic among
individuals about coronavirus. For most, the symptoms of corona remain unclear.
Stigma, surveillance, discrimination and harassment have also increased within
these communities.
Another study carried out 60 telephone interviews
of frontline health workers (FLWs) involved in COVID-19 management. According
to the study, the FLWs mentioned the urgent need for PPEs of appropriate
quality. They showed greater preference for PPEs compared to monetary
incentives such as those announced by the PM recently. Not only are FLWs
physically exhausted, they are also experiencing immense mental stress due to
the fear of infecting their family members.
JPGSPH is also running a multi-phase
phone survey to gain a better understanding of the effects of COVID-19 on aspects
such as income, nutrition, gender, and mental health. Phase 1, spanning April
6-13, reached 1,309 individuals. In terms of psychological well being, households
with complete loss of income (58%) are significantly more stressed than
households with partial (29%) or no loss of income (13%). Similarly, 37% of the
households reported that they are surviving on staple foods such as rice,
lentils and potatoes. These households – that have been forced to adopt a diet
lacking in diversity – showed significantly higher levels of stress.
Furthermore, the overall “quality” of
the awareness and knowledge about COVID-19 paints a grim scenario. Rural and female
respondents know much less about the mode of transmission than their
counterparts (urban and male respectively), and only 38% of all respondents
mentioned maintaining the 3-feet rule. Stigma and fears of death because of the
virus, remain widespread.
The six studies came up with a range of
recommendations which, if implemented, can greatly help alleviate the effects
of the pandemic on FLWs, the urban poor and other marginalized groups. They
include: ensuring adequate number of PPEs of appropriate quality for all FLWs
who are directly or indirectly involved in the management of the COVID-19
patients, arrangement of accommodation for the FLWs near their workplace to allay
anxieties, and implementation of roster and rotation of FLWs as per the 7/14
model (7 days of duty followed by 14 days of quarantine) as was followed in
Wuhan.
Cash and food support for low-income
groups have to be boosted and there also remains scope for more proactive
awareness and knowledge campaigns, including addressing misinformation and the
issue of stigma. To be effective such campaigns need to be targeted and customized
to ensure optimal effect.
The news on
this event has been published/telecasted on more than 26 media.
Some of the
links of mainstream media house:
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